herzog



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. B. HERZOG & S S. Wl'ilEiELER.v

ELEGTRIG SIGNALING APPARATUS.

No. 573,221. Patented 1160.15, 1896.

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P. B. HERZOG Zia-S. S. WHEELER.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

Patented Dec. 15, 1896.

WITNESSES: 624w. 7?

FELIX BENEDICT IIERZOG AND SCHUYLER PATENT EErcE.

SKAATS WHEELER, on NEW YORK, N. Y.; SAID WHEELER ASSIGNOR TO SAIDHERZQG.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 573,221, dated December15, 1896. Application filed January 25, 1886. Serial No. 139,665. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FELIX BENEDICT HER- zoe and SCHUYLER SKAATSWHEELER, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of NewYork, in the county of New York and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Electric Signaling Apparatus,(Case No. 26,) of which the following is a specification.

Our invention ,relates generally to electric signaling apparatus; andits object is to construct such signaling apparatus as will be capableof transmitting a number of separately variable signals at onetransmission; to combine in one apparatus impulse and spring-actuatedformsof the latent-signal transmitter invented by F. Benedict Herzog,types of which are shown in Patents N 0. 289,834, ofDecember 11, 1883,and No. 292, 115, of January 15, 1884, issued to him, and also a furtherobject is to improve various details in signaling apparatus.

To this end our invention, generally stated, consists in constructingnew forms of movement for signaling apparatus generally, and for socombining several such separate mechanisms with controlling mechanismsfor causing one at the completion of its signal to begin to operate theother, as will be hereinafter set forth, and also various devices,details, arrangements, and combinations herein set forth.

Figure 1 represents generally a signaltransmitting mechanism capable ofbeing set so as to transmit any signal from one to nine hundred andninety-nine; Fig. 1, the same, showing more detail; Fig 1, an elevationthereof; Fig. 2, a modification thereof; Fig. 2 an elevation of thefirst portion or movement of the same.

In Fig. 1, A is a magnet operating armature B, and P is a movementsubstantially the same in each of the parts shown. It consists of anordinary two or three wheel train of gearing, with the addition of a camF on one of the spindles (preferably that of the scape-wheel) in thefirst movement. main arbors of all of the movements bear break-wheelsrigidly fastened thereto, which wheels are divided into a number ofteeth, one of the teeth preferably being larger than the others. Thereis also a pin Q so placed that when the movement is in its normal con-The dition of rest this such a manner as to cause this to fall out oftherange of pin R on the scape-wheel of the succeeding movement. Bearingupon the initial orlarge tooth is the contact-brush M, connected withthe succeeding movement and insulated from the first excepting when itspoint makes contact. The last brush of the series is insulated from allof the mechanism excepting where its point touches the teeth of D'.Fixed to the armature B is a projection fitting into the depression ofcam F in such a manner as tooffer as little friction as possible, theroller Gserving for that purpose. The second movement of Figs. 1 and 1shows the front frame and the break-wheel broken away so as to show thegear-wheel.

The mode of operation is then as follows: The setting operator by meansof a knob, crank, or pointer (not shown except in Figs. 1 and 2) turnsthe arbor of the first train to the right against stress of spring Puntil, by a suitable designating or indicating device, (such as anumbered disk cooperating with a pointer, or a pointer cooperating witha fixed dial, or numbers on the different teeth and means whereby butone number is exposed at a time, as shown in Fig. 1%) he turns the arbora fraction of a revolution corresponding to the number of teeth thatwould have passed 'under the contact-brush M during such revolution,which number is indicated by the proper numeral designated. If thesignal which he wishes to transmit is to consist of one digit only, theoperation is performed. If it is to consist of two or more digits, thesame operation is repeated with as many successive trains as there aredigits to be transmitted, the number of these being unlimited. If theinstrument is to be used as a direct-signaling instrument, the sendingoperator must, after having set the signal as before indicated, releasethe train by holding up the armature of the first move ment, or, if thisis dispensed with, (as can be done,) by removing a detent of some kindfrom the escapement of the first train; but if the movement is to beused as a latentsignal transmitter, as is the case with the connectionsmade as shown in the drawings,

the operator has nothing further to do. When the circuit is closed atthe receiving-station,

IOO

the magnet A will become energized and attract the armature B, thusdrawing the lug and roller G out of engagement with the cam and freeingthe escape-wheel. As the train unwinds the circuit will be broken eachtime that a space on the periphery of the break-.

wheel passes under the contact-brush M, thus transmitting a number ofimpulses equal to the number of indications to which the breakwheelindicator has been set from its normal position. \Vhen the wheel in itsrevolution brings the initial tooth into contact with brush M, it canunwind no further, but just before this point it slightly moves pin Q,so that this raises the end J of the lever L, (until its end strikes theedge of the front plate, as shown,) depressing the other end L, whichhas until now served as a detent for some suitable part, such as the pinR 011 the scapewheel of the neXt movement. The operation of theseshifting devices permits this next movement to operate in the samemanner as the first, (in case that it has been set,) and thus theoperation continues with each successive train. It will be noticed thatin the form shown the movements run down in the order, hundreds, tens,and units. The same instrument can be made to serve as a latent-signalinstrument or as a direct-signal instrument by the addition of switchingmechanism S, whereby, if the circuit be normally in a closed conditionwith a current in line, the operation of this switch will cut in theinstrument after it has been properly set, the switch being so placedfor the purpose of enabling the setting to be done without sendingimpulses along the line caused by the operation of setting.

Fig. 2 is a modification of the form first shown, in which, in additionto features before set forth, there is a combination of an arbitrary orfixed si gnalsfor each box, together with a multiple transmitter, asshown above, and also a combination in one instrument of transmittingmechanism which is in part actuated after the manner of the impulse ormotor actuated transmitter shown in Patent No. 292,115, and in part bythe well-known spring-actuated train. Magnet A, when rcpeatedlyenergized and dcnergized, will attract armature B,and thus,in connectionwith pawl ll, limited in its motion by the stop 11 and the locking-clickshown, will operate to turn the wheel BIS step by step. On the sameshaft with the wheel BB is a disk which has a projection Z, and also onits periphery an insulated spot '1 and a larger insulated spot V,projecting beyond the periphery. The othertrains shown are same as thosedescribed in Figs 1, 1, and 1 with the exception that in the first onethere is mounted upon the arbor the army K, bent at the end, as shown,which has fastened to its extreme point a spring 2, the upper end ofwhich spring is free, except as it engages with the projecting point Zof the circuit-Wheel during the first stage of its movement.

The mode of operationis as follows: To set the first digit which theoperator desires to send, he turns the knob or equivalent of the second,6., the first of the spring-actuated movements,) as described inconnection with Fig. 1, but by so doing he at the same time, without anyextra labor on his part, puts the apparatus in condition to transmit thearbitrary signal to designate to the receiving operator which one of aseries of similar boxes in circuit is being employed. This is done bythe action of arm K and lug Z on the under wheel of the first movement.A loose spring 2, fixed to the free end of K, catches the lug andrevolves this out of its normal position far enough to permit the spring2 to disengage itself and pass beyond as far as the arm may be turned.This short engagement between 2 and Z rotates the lower wheel on thefirst movement sufficiently to permit spring 4 to fall off of theinsulation W, fall-upon the metal periphery of the wheel, break with itsform er contact-point 3, and thereby throw the magnet into circuit. Fromthis point the rest of the operation of the transmitting operator is thesame as before, but the action of the receiving apparatus or operator isdetermined by the character of the apparatus at the central station andalso by the fact whether the transmitting instrument is used as a director as a latent signal. If used as a latent-signal instrument on a closedcircuit, in which the fact of the setting of any instrument on thatcircuit is announced to the receiving operator by the operation ofsuitable receiving mechanism which, coincident with the signalannouncing the setting of the instrument, also renders all futuredisturbance impossible in that circuit without further action on thepart of the receiving operator, because the line is permanently broken,(as is the case in several pending applications of said l-Ierzog, e. 9.,case filed September 29, 1894,) or if the condition of the magnet of thetransmitting instrument is such that the normal condition of current inline will not operate it, the setting operator can proceed to set hisapparatus as indicated above. This he can also do if there is normallynocurrent in line; but if none of the above conditions exist then someprovision, such, for instance, as that of the switch S, (shown in Fig.1,) must be used, so that the main circuit is not broken until the wholeapparatus has been set ready to transmit the entire signal. The specificorganizations suggested above are not herein shown in detail, as theyform no part of the present invention. The receiving operator when he isready to release, actuate, or cause the instrument to operate closes thecircuit at his end or cuts out a resistance, (the circuit and apparatusbeing as shown and described with Fig. 1.) In either case this action ofhis causes an attraction of armature B, which remains attracted until herestores the circuit to its normal condition, and thereby permits thearmature to fall back, and thus causes it IOf to turn the wheels D and 5a step. There are as many teeth on the periphery of Wheel D as maybe'desired, the number of teeth, however, being the same in all of theinstruments on the circuit. The receiving operator continues to sendimpulses along line, as before described, until in the course of therevolution of the wheels insulated point T is brought under thecontact-brush 4 and inasmuch as the wheel is moved at the back stroke ofthe armature the recoil of the armature forces this insulating-pointunder and then out beyond the brush, the resultant break not affectingthe transmitter-magnet, (see Patent No. 292,115,) although inasmuch asit cuts out the resistance of its own magnet this change in the totalcircuit-resistance is easily recognized by some equivalent of thereceiver shown in the before-mentioned Patent No. 292,115. The operatorthen continues the impulses until the total number is equal to thenumber of teeth required to give one complete revolution to the wheels,and thus brings brush 4 back to its normal position, as hereinafterdescribed. The operator is informed of the particular box in series bythe number of steps which are required to bring this point T under thebrush, and thereby break the circuit, this number being difierent forevery box in series. There are various other ways described in otherapplications whereby he can distinguish which of a number of similarimpulseactuated transmitters in series is being employed, the means,generally stated, being as shown in above-mentioned Patent No. 292,115and, as here applied, consisting of the high-resistance telephone,(shown,) which is normally out of circuit, but may be introducedwhenever the key breaks the shunt, and during this period the currentdifferentiations produced at the transmitter would be distinguished asclicks of different intensity. After he has brought the wheel round acomplete revolution the brush 4 will be forced up into its normalcondition, as shown, thus cutting out the magnet, and this step alsothrows the next train into movement by the action of the lug on lever Lin connection with the pinQ. The successive trains are then operated asthere described.

It will be seen that the above description embraces several featureswhich for many purposes can be used independently of the others, andtherefore we do not wish to limit ourselves to the use of all of themtogether.

Various modifications will suggest themselves, and We wish it to beunderstood that we embrace such modifications.

lVe claim 1. The combination substantially as described in asignal-transmitting instrument of two or more separately-variabletransmitting mechanisms, each including a motor, together with shiftingdevices. 4

2. The combination substantially as described of separately-variablesignal-transmitting mechanisms, each including a motor, together withshifting devices, and means whereby the operation of one transmittingmechanism brings into action the next transmitting mechanism.

3. The combination substantially as described in an electric signalinginstrument of separately driven and separately variablesignal-transmitting mechanisms, each pro vided with a detent, and allexcept the last, provided with a shifting device.

4:. The combination substantially as described in an electric signalinginstrument of a transmitting mechanism which transmits a portion of thewhole signal that can be trans mitted by the instrument, anothersignaltransmitting mechanism, which transmits another portion of thesignal, a separate motor for each, shifting devices between the two anda magnet controlling the operation of the whole.

5. The combination substantially as described in an electric signalinginstrument of a normally-inoperative characteristic signaltransmittercontrolled by one motor device, and a separate variablesignal-transmitter, controlled by a second motor device.

The combination, in a signal-transmit ting instrument, of severalvariable transmittin g mechanisms, each including a motor; together withshifting devices, the Whole being organized so that one, several, orall, of the movements may beoperated, as desired.

7. The combination in a signal-transmitting instrument of two or moreseparatelyvariable transmitting mechanisms, each including a motor,together with shifting devices; each mechanism and its transmittingelement being so adjusted with relation to the shifting devices that thetime from the beginnin g of its operation until it shifts in the nextmechanism varies according to the signal transmitted.

8. The combination in the signal-transmitting instrument of two or moreseparate transmitting mechanisms each including a motor anda shiftingdevice whereby the first mechanism operated controls the next.

9. 'The combination in a signal-transmitting instrument of two or moreseparate transmitting mechanisms each including a motor and a shiftingdevice on each prior operating mechanism and a detent on eachsubsequently-operating mechanism; said detent mechanically releasing thesubsequently-operated mechanism on the completion of the signaltransmitted by the one operating ahead of it.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 22d day of January, A. D. 1886.

F. BENEDICT HERZOG. SCHUYLER SKAATS WHEELER. Witnesses:

PHILIP HERZOG, FRANCIS B. ORooKER.

